1 . Sometime in the early 1960s, a significant thing happened in Sydney, Australia. The city discovered its harbor. Then, one after another, Sydney discovered lots of things that were just sort of there — broad parks, superb beaches, and a culturally diverse population. But it is the harbor that makes the city.
Andrew Reynolds, a cheerful fellow in his early 30s, pilots Sydney ferryboats for a living. I spent the whole morning shuttling back and forth across the harbor. After our third run Andrew shut down the engine, and we went our separate ways — he for a lunch break, I to explore the city.
“I’ll miss these old boats,” he said as we parted.
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“Oh, they’re replacing them with catamarans. Catamarans are faster, but they’re not so elegant, and they’re not fun to pilot. But that’s progress, I guess.”
Everywhere in Sydney these days, change and progress are the watchwords (口号), and traditions are increasingly rare. Shirley Fitzgerald, the city’s official historian, told me that in its rush to modernity in the 1970s, Sydney swept aside much of its past, including many of its finest buildings. “Sydney is confused about itself,” she said. “We can’t seem to make up our minds whether we want a modern city or a traditional one. It’s a conflict that we aren’t getting any better at resolving (解决).”
On the other hand, being young and old at the same time has its attractions. I considered this when I met a thoughtful young businessman named Anthony. “Many people say that we lack culture in this country,” he told me. “What people forget is that the Italians, when they came to Australia, brought 2000 years of their culture, the Greeks some 3000 years, and the Chinese more still. We’ve got a foundation built on ancient cultures but with a drive and dynamism of a young country. It’s a pretty hard combination to beat.”
He is right, but I can’t help wishing they would keep those old ferries.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?A.Sydney’s striking architecture. | B.The cultural diversity of Sydney. |
C.The key to Sydney’s development. | D.Sydney’s tourist attractions in the 1960s. |
A.He goes to work by boat. | B.He looks forward to a new life. |
C.He pilots catamarans well. | D.He is attached to the old ferries. |
A.It is losing its traditions. | B.It should speed up its progress. |
C.It should expand its population. | D.It is becoming more international. |
A.A city can be young and old at the same time. |
B.A city built on ancient cultures is more dynamic. |
C.Modernity is usually achieved at the cost of elegance. |
D.Compromise should be made between the local and the foreign. |
The Xi’an City Wall is the most complete city wall that has survived China’s long history. It
We accessed the wall through the South Gate. The wall is 12 meters high and from here you can see streams of people moving inside and outside the City Wall.
After
We
East China’s Shandong province, where the Yellow River flows into the sea, is promoting the deep integration of culture and tourism. So far, Shandong
One example is the Yellow River Tower in Binzhou’s Puhu Lake Scenic Area, which was open
One of the most
Yellow River culture is a product of the material and spiritual advancement of the people living by the river throughout time. The local artistic
4 . Marvelous Scenic Walks Near London
There are plenty of walking routes in London. If you fancy something a bit more rural, then the green and pleasant land has plenty to offer.
Goring Gap and the Thames PathIf you’re in the mood for a gentle rural walk, the Thames Path is far from boring. The 5-mile footpath follows the curve of the river, winding past wildflower meadows (草地).
Post-walk pub: Pangbourne’s seventeenth-century pub The Swan serves high-end dishes. Bag a table on the riverside or keep toasty by one of its open fires.
Box HillTo admire this spots rural views, first you’ve got to jump across 17 stepping stones and climb 272 steps to the top of Box Hill, where the path begins. The total distance is 6.8 miles.
Post-walk pub: The cavernous Tree on Box Hill has an attractive menu and huge beer garden, or sample a glass of Juniper Hill at Denbies Winerie.
A South Downs Ridge (山脊)If you’ve already done the classic Seven Sisters clifftop walk or can’t face all those hills, this is a long but lovely alternative. The route covering 14.3 miles snakes along a ridge and a river valley.
Post-walk pub: There are always 10 real beers at the old-school pub The Wellington.
Chess Valley in the ChilternsChess Valley in the Chiltern Hills isn’t home to any chess masters, but it used to produce a kind of water plant. This walk of 4.9 miles follows the river, winding through rolling meadows and woods.
Post-walk pub: The George & Dragon is a simple old coaching pub on the High Street with a log fire, real beers and giant burgers.
1. Which of the following walks covers the shortest distance?A.Box Hill. |
B.A South Downs Ridge. |
C.Chess Valley in the Chilterns. |
D.Goring Gap and the Thames Path. |
A.The pubs are pretty and old-fashioned. |
B.Visitors can relax at special pubs after walks. |
C.There are rivers winding through the meadows. |
D.The food served there is expensive and of high quality. |
A.A geography book. | B.A travel brochure. |
C.A fashion website. | D.A science magazine. |
5 . Welcome to Holker Hall & Gardens
Visitor InformationHow to Get to Holker
By Car: Follow brown signs an A590 from JB6, M6. Approximate travel times: Windermere-20 minutes, Kendal-25 minutes, Lancaster-45 minutes, Manchester-1 hour 30 minutes.
By Rail: The nearest station is Cark-in-Cartmel with trains to Carnforth, Lancaster Preston for connections to major cities & airports.
Opening TimesSunday-Friday (closed on Saturday)11:00 am-4:00pm,30 March-2nd November.
Admission ChargesHall & Gardens | Gardens | |
Adults: | £12.00 | £8.00 |
Groups | £9 | £5.5 |
Producers: Market 13th April
Join us to taste a variety of fresh local food and drinks. Meet the producers and get some excellent recipe ideas.
Holker Garden Festival 30th May
The event celebrate its 22nd anniversary with a great show of the very best of gardening, making it one of the most popular events in gardening.
National Garden Day 28th August
Holker once again opens is gardens in aid of the disadvantaged. For just a small donation you can take a tour with our garden guide.
Winter Market 8th November
This is an event for all the family. Wander among a variety of shops selling gifs while enjoying a live music show and nice street entertainment.
1. How long does it probably take a tourist to drive to Holker from Manchester?A.20 minutes. | B.25 minutes. |
C.45 minutes. | D.90 minutes. |
A.£12.00. | B.£9.00. |
C.£8.0 | D.£5.50 |
A.Producers’ Market. | B.Holker Garden Festival. |
C.National Garden Day. | D.Winter Market. |
Camping was so popular as to even become a fashion across China during the just-concluded National Day holiday, with some joking that “half of the friends
According to research firm iiMedia Research, the core market size of China’s camping economy reached 74.75 billion yuan ($10.5 billion) in 2021,
More market-sensitive players are plowing into the industry. In 2021, more than 20,000 new camping-related enterprises sprang up in China,
Huzhou,
“Consumers’ demand for outdoor activities
7 . Los Angeles native Randall Bartlett sat under the rooftop of a traditional Chinese scholar’s studio, occasionally turning a page of his book. The scene was in the reopened Liu Fang Yuan garden at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. For him, the garden brings to life the Chinese philosophies he learned from books.
Phillip E. Bloom, director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies, said the idea for Liu Fang Yuan goes back to the 1980s with the initial aim of creating a collection of Chinese plants, but after research, they realized plants alone were not sufficient to demonstrate the essence of a Chinese garden. Eventually, it was decided to model a garden on 16th and 17th century scholarly retreats(隐居处)in Suzhou.
The decision was made partly due to the fame of Suzhou classical gardens, but also because similarities were found between the Huntington and Suzhou gardens. Bloom said that Henry Huntington, founder of the Huntington Library, was a successful US businessman who used his fortune to collect rare books, artworks and to create gardens. “Many Suzhou gardens were also created by rich people who tried to pursue a scholarly lifestyle,” he added.
To preserve the character of the Suzhou gardens, the Huntington Library sought help from Suzhou, giving rise to collaboration between US and Chinese architects, contractors and designers. In all stages of construction, artisans(工匠)from Suzhou came to work on details of the venue.
After three years of expansion from 2018 to 2020, Liu Fang Yuan reopened to the public with 4.6 hectares of new landscape, making it one of the largest classical-style Chinese gardens in the world. The additions include courtyards displaying penjing, a scholar’s studio, a pavilion(亭子)situated at the garden’s highest point, etc.
Now, it is meaningful to see how people from local communities interact with the garden. “A lot of volunteers come to different lectures and exhibitions about Chinese culture hat we hold regularly,” Bloom said. By exposing its visitors to arts and literature, Liu Fang uan goes beyond international boundaries and bridges the cultural gaps between the two ountries.
1. What do we know about Liu Fang Yuan?A.It used to be a scholarly retreat in Suzhou. |
B.It was constructed by Suzhou artisans alone. |
C.It became the largest garden after being expanded. |
D.It promotes cultural exchanges between America and China. |
A.The introduction to the founder. |
B.The fame of Suzhou classical gardens. |
C.The features of a scholarly lifestyle. |
D.The reasons for modeling a Suzhou garden. |
A.negotiation | B.cooperation | C.inspiration | D.contradiction |
A.To show its cultural significance. |
B.To detail its architectural features. |
C.To promote its diverse activities. |
D.To boost its international fame. |
8 . Best Places to Visit in England
As the largest part of the United Kingdom, England is home to many great places to visit. The following destinations are some of the best.
London
Of course, most visitors to England will arrive in London. It’s home to a long list of famous sights as well as beautiful green spaces. It also houses some of the best museums on the planet, many of which are free. See the city from above by riding the London Eye or run into famous people at Madame Tussauds (杜莎夫人蜡像馆).
Liverpool
Liverpool is well known as the place that started The Beatles, though you’ll find a lot more to do there than visit The Beatles Museum. Spend time in the pubs chatting with the locals, go shopping at Liverpool One and enjoy the beaches. Art lovers will enjoy Liverpool’s excellent art sight.
Bath
Some people say Bath is England’s most beautiful small city, named for its natural hot springs that served as ancient Roman baths (浴缸) 2,000 years ago. And, today, it’s the only place in the United Kingdom where you can bathe in naturally hot, mineral-rich waters just like the Romans did long ago. Enjoy rooftop baths with wonderful views over this Georgian city, dine in award-winning restaurants and stay in romantic hotels.
Dover
Dover, located in White Cliffs Country, offers a rich history as well as peaceful countryside and a breathtaking coastline. This area has a unique place in history. You could easily spend weeks experiencing this area’s castles, like Dover Castle as well as the Secret War Time Tunnels, once used as an underground hospital.
1. What can visitors do in London?A.Have a bath in naturally hot water. |
B.Visit The Beatles Museum for free. |
C.Enjoy the city’s view from the London Eye. |
D.Learn about its music at Madame Tussauds. |
A.London. | B.Liverpool. | C.Bath. | D.Dover. |
A.It is in Liverpool. |
B.It is a 2,000-year-old art sight. |
C.It looks like Dover Castle. |
D.It was an underground hospital before. |
9 . Copenhagen has GREAT public transport. It is reliable, safe, and easily accessible. Of course, like everything in Copenhagen, it is not cheap. The system can be a little confusing, even for locals, but we’re here to help simplify it all for you! And today our focus is Travelling with a Bike.
BIKES ON THE TRAIN
Bicycles can be taken on s-tog lines for free but you can’t take bikes through Nørreport station during peak hours. To take your bike on a train, you need to put it on the first or last carriage, clearly marked with large signs of bicycles on the outside.
To take a bike on a regional train, which takes you to parts of Denmark outside Copenhagen, you must buy an extra ticket. The price depends on the distance and varies from 16 kr to 28 kr.
BIKES ON THE METRO
Bicycles can be taken on the metro for an extra 13 kr. You need to pay for the bike with its own ticket. You can’t take your bike on the metro during peak hours.
BIKES ON THE BUS
You can bring a bike on a bus but each bus is limited to two bikes, even if there is much space. Generally, people do not travel with their bikes on buses in Copenhagen.
BIKES ON THE FERRY(渡轮)
Charges for bicycles depend on the company and the destination. You will need to check with the ferry companies. When you book the ticket, you must state that you have a cycle, even if it’s free of charge.
1. Who is this text probably intended for?A.Tourist guides. |
B.Bike travelers. |
C.Local citizens. |
D.Ticket inspectors. |
A.A peak time s-tog train. |
B.A weekday regional train. |
C.An off-peak metro train. |
D.A weekend ferry. |
A.Buses are too crowded. |
B.It’s against the local custom. |
C.Availability is not guaranteed. |
D.It’s not welcomed by other passengers. |
10 . Tom’s father is a lawyer. In his spare time, he likes to go out in the country and take some pictures of animals.
For a long time, Tom had wanted to go with his father on one of his
Tom and his father drove to the farm which
It was still dark when Tom heard the alarm clock the next morning. He wondered why it was running so early. He couldn’t remember
He ran downstairs. The others were already in the
They ate breakfast quickly. They didn’t talk
A.trips | B.buses | C.shows | D.mountains |
A.after | B.when | C.until | D.unless |
A.led | B.stuck | C.got | D.belonged |
A.cost | B.spent | C.slept | D.took |
A.where | B.how | C.who | D.what |
A.happily | B.sleepily | C.quietly | D.suddenly |
A.imagined | B.pronounced | C.forgot | D.remembered |
A.valley | B.town | C.farm | D.station |
A.dressed | B.ordered | C.eaten | D.prepared |
A.bathroom | B.kitchen | C.dining-room | D.sitting-room |
A.seemed | B.felt | C.tasted | D.smelled |
A.lonely | B.soundly | C.much | D.highly |
A.wake | B.go | C.put | D.come |
A.of | B.with | C.in | D.by |
A.before | B.what | C.after | D.that |